If you are worried about road safety once marijuana becomes legal, you are not alone.
CAA Niagara says with just over two months until the recreational use of cannabis becomes legal, a new survey shows 75 per cent of respondents are concerned about their safety on the road once the new law comes into force.
The survey of more than 500 CAA Niagara Members reveals 44 per cent are extremely concerned about road safety once cannabis is legalized, with 31 per cent somewhat concerned.
In addition, 29 per cent of survey respondents think the issue of driving high is worse today than it was three years ago.
CAA Niagara’s President and CEO Peter Van Hezewyk says they have a responsibility to let Niagara know the dangers of driving under the influence of cannabis.
Van Hezewyk says that most people understand that drinking and driving don’t mix, but now’s the time we start talking about cannabis, because driving high is driving impaired.
Today marks the launch of CAA Niagara’s multi-channel campaign designed to educate the public that driving high is driving impaired.
Van Hezewyk says they are worried about first-time cannabis users getting behind the wheel.
Niagara Region Public Health Associate Medical Officer Dr. Andrea Feller says cannabis affects the ability to think and drive for much longer than just a few hours and the impact of driving after consuming or smoking cannabis cannot be overstated.
She says driving high is a gamble, with no chance for hitting the jackpot.
Yesterday we learned Ontario's new plan for cannabis legalization on October 17th.
Here are the highlights of the announcement:
- After cannabis legalization on Oct. 17, the Ontario government says it will create an online platform and a private retail model for cannabis by April 1, 2019.
- Consumers who are 19 or older will be able to purchase cannabis on an online platform provided by the Ontario Cannabis Store.
- The OCS online channel will include a verification system for home delivery of cannabis products.
- Online purchase will be limited to 30 grams to comply with the federal government's possession limit.
- The OCS website will provide a selection of dried cannabis, cannabis oil-based products, cannabis seeds and accessories.
- Private retailers will have to follow a series of provincial rules, such as only selling cannabis to those 19 or older.
- There is a maximum fine of $250,000 and/or up to two years in prison for first convictions for those who sell or distribute cannabis illegally, or those who allow their property to be used to sell or distribute illegal cannabis.
- There is a maximum fine of $1 million for corporations that sell or distribute cannabis illegally or allow their property to be used to sell or distribute illegal cannabis.
- As of July 1, 2018, Ontario will have tougher drug-impaired driving laws, including a ``zero tolerance for young and novice drivers and commercial drivers.''
- The provincial government will provide $40 million to municipalities over two years to help with costs, such as law enforcement, incurred with the legalization of recreational marijuana.
- Municipalities will also have ``a one-time window'' where they can opt out of permitting physical cannabis retail stores within their boundaries.
- The provincial government says there will be consultations with municipalities, Indigenous communities, law enforcement, public health advocates, businesses and consumer groups and other provinces.